Social Impact Program
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Project Focus
Sustainable development
& social impact
Participation Hours
120 supervised hours
Educational Content
Human rights, ethics
& co-design
Age
+18 years old
Program Duration
3 weeks
July 2026
Program size
10-15 people
Programme Overview
Our Humanitarian Engineering programme offers a structured, supervised field experience combining technical practice with social and ethical learning. Participants work alongside local communities and Engineering Without Borders Argentina professionals, contributing to projects that create lasting positive impact. The programme focuses not only on building infrastructure, but also on building local capacity, cross-cultural understanding, and professional insight into sustainable development and human rights. Programme participants take part in the construction of community spaces, performing tasks such as building walls, installing roofs, or setting up infrastructure, depending on the project stage.
A Day in the Life
Your week is structured to offer a balanced mix of project work, learning, and free time to explore. Here’s what a typical week looks like:
Free Days (2 days/week)
Explore & Relax: You’ll have two free days each week to rest, recharge, and discover the vibrant city of Buenos Aires at your own pace. We provide support and recommendations for organizing activities if needed.
Non-Project Programme Day (1 day/week)
One Onboarding Day: Introduction to the programme, team building, and orientation.
One Buenos Aires City Tour Day: Explore the vibrant culture and landmarks of Buenos Aires.
Evening: Free time to explore Buenos Aires, socialize, or rest.
On-Site Work Day (4 days/week)
8:00: Transportation to the project site.
9:00 – 16:00: Work on the project, with a one-hour break for lunch on-site.
Saturday Special: On Saturdays, the workday is shared with the entire EWB-Argentina team, including local volunteers. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with local people and build lasting friendships.
16:00: Transportation back to the original meeting point.
Evening: Free time, just like on other days.
Accommodation & Meals
Participants are free to arrange their own accommodation according to their taste and budget. CHE will provide guidance on the best areas to stay and share a shortlist of recommended options. You’ll also be invited to a group channel with your team to coordinate accommodation and other trip preparations. Only the lunch during the on-site work days and academic days in included within the program. The rest needs to be arranged by each participant.
Programme Fees
Total programme cost: USD 2,000 (3 weeks).
The fee is split into two parts:
Project Contribution: Part of the fee may be fundraised and is transferred directly to Engineering Without Borders Argentina to cover project costs.
Programme Delivery Fee: The remaining portion is paid to CHE and covers supervision, coordination, and programme delivery.
A 10% deposit is required upon signing the participation agreement.
Direct Contribution
Participants may cover part of their programme fee through guided fundraising via GlobalGiving. 100% of funds raised go directly to Engineering Without Borders Argentina. Fundraising is not an additional cost, but part of the total programme fee.
Operating Cost Breakdown
| Category | Contribution | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Project | 69% | Materials, tools, equipment |
| Operations | 13% | Logistics, operation staff |
| Administrative | 12% | Legal, accounting, admin. staff |
| Financial | 6% | Financial services |
What’s Included?
Guaranteed project placement with EWB Argentina
On-site engineering & construction training
Sustainable development and human rights seminar
Travel together to the project site by public transport
Lunch on work and academic days
Comprehensive work insurance for the activities at the work place
Certificate for 120 hours of professional experience
24/7 in-country support
Visa costs
Project direct contribution
What’s NOT Included?
Flights
Accommodation
Meals outside the mentioned above
Travel insurance
Personal spending money
Refund Policy
The deposit is non-refundable, covering administrative and planning costs. The remaining fee may be refundable if a participant withdraws before programme-related expenses begin. Refunds requested up to one month before the start date are assessed case-by-case and may incur deductions. No refunds are available within one month of the programme start, as funds will already be committed.